written analysis 1-4-2

Written Analyses

            This assignment will focus on defining the terminology and concept theories of popular culture, specifically the concepts of Icons, Beliefs, and Myths.  There will also be discussions on what theories apply to the topic of the sitcom “Modern Family”, and a brief explanation of any insight gained from applying the concepts to the sitcom.                        

 Icon can be described as an object, picture, image, and person.  Many years ago icons were used for religious paintings, images, people and artifacts, the word in the 21^st century has taken on a different meaning, which mostly is used to identify or describe celebrities such as, Marilyn Monroe and more.  One of the actors on Modern Family is Sofia Vergara, an actress, TV hostess, and comedian born in Colombia.  Her looks are iconic much like Marilyn Monroe, who she is constantly compared too, (R.B. Browne, 2005).

Beliefs are still a touchy subject in the 21^st century, but people are more willing to discuss them and bring them to the surface.  The show has brought many issues of religion, personal lifestyle and other forms of belief that most people talk about to the forefront, but have done it in an intelligent humorous way, (M. Trotti, 2011).

The show does not deal much with historical myths, but rather everyday life situations, myths that are discussed on the show deal with normal people being labeled as heroes.  However the writers of the show have been labeled as heroes by most of their viewers for bringing issues such as bullying, Gay and Lesbian rights to marriage, Adoption for gay couples, and other controversial issues. Insight that is achieved from the show is that it acts as a teaching prop for many issues in our society done in an interest comedic way, which makes it important to popular culture for bringing issues that most people hardly want to discuss in public, (M. Trotti, 2011).

Reference

Trotti, M., (2011).  The history of popular culture in America.  Retrieved May 17, 2012

            From http://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/mtrotti/popculture.html

Brown, R. B, (2005).  Profiles of popular culture, Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin Press

Petracca, M., Sorapure. M., (2012).  Common Culture: Reading and writing about American 

Popular culture, New Jersey:  University of California at Santa Barbara